Saturday Flood Update: FEMA money on its way

Dispatch Staff Photo by JOLENE CLEAVER >> From left, acting Oneida Mayor, Max Smith; Madison County Sheriff, Allen Riley; Madison County Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, John Becker; and Governor Andrew Cuomo on July 1 following the Governor's tour of Oneida and announcement of request for FEMA money. Announcement was made at the Oneida Fire Department.

>> Friday night, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that the state's request to President Barack Obama for federal public assistance aid for flood affected counties has been approved. Following the collection of preliminary damage assessments by FEMA, state and local emergency management personnel working collaboratively in the affected counties, Cuomo presented the president with data that demonstrated that the damage to public infrastructure had exceeded $32.7 million, well above the state's $26.7 million per capita threshold.

Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments. Public assistance is for emergency work and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities.

"Since June when the rain and floods ravaged many communities across the state, I said I would do everything I could to bring relief and aid to the citizens and communities that have been damaged so badly," said Cuomo. "I am very pleased that President Obama has heard our call for assistance and has recognized the extraordinary weather event that occurred across the State and, through FEMA, has authorized federal funding through Public Assistance that will contribute significantly to the necessary recovery and rebuilding process. As we have learned too well in other areas of the state following catastrophic natural disasters, our rebuilding effort must help the affected communities come back stronger and more resilient to any future storms."

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In his correspondence to President Obama, Cuomo cited climatological and meteorological data provided by the National Weather Service that establishes June 11 as the beginning of the period of flood-producing rain that led to severe storms and flash flooding that damaged public infrastructure.

Cuomo also noted that the state implemented its emergency plan through the June 11 activation of the State emergency operations center in response to severe storms and flash flooding.

"I have seen firsthand the level of destruction and mayhem these floods have caused in the Mohawk Valley, the North Country and Western New York," said Cuomo. "It is a tragedy that so many communities of hard-working, decent New Yorkers have seen their lives turned upside down by the unpredictable and damaging impact of these severe storms and floods. But New Yorkers are strong, they are resilient and they care for each other. In this time, as during others in the recent past, we have come together to help each other and overcome what Mother Nature has wrought; we will overcome this challenge and we will prevail. Now with the aid available through the federal Public Assistance funds, we know that we will be able to set to the task of rebuilding and reinvigorating our communities that have suffered so much. With our collective effort, a shared purpose and the commitment to build better and stronger than before, better days are before us."

Word on what this means for individual property owners was not available in time for this report.

The senators reiterated their request for a federal emergency declaration that would make available Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance to aid local governments, businesses and residents. The senators are also preparing a legislative package set for introduction in Albany that will guide New York State's long-term recovery and mitigation efforts for this, and future natural disasters.

Senator Joseph A. Griffo said, "This story has been told far too often in recent years. A comprehensive, forward-thinking strategy needs to be prepared to answer the state's needs when a natural disaster strikes. Rather than being reactionary, this plan ensures that appropriate funding is available, workable regulatory policies are in place, and a boots-on-the-ground response can be quickly employed when Mother Nature strikes. We also need to keep the pressure on representatives in Washington D.C. to respond to our needs the same way they respond to concerns around the nation and the world."

Senator David J. Valesky said, "The governor has been a strong proponent for federal disaster assistance, and I urge him to continue his push for full FEMA benefits. In addition, New York needs to take appropriate steps to revamp the way we respond to natural disasters, particularly in rural areas. This package of legislation will help accomplish that goal."

The senators' six-point legislative plan will include the following components:

1) The centerpiece of their legislation will be a New York state flood and emergency relief fund -"Funding Emergency Relief Now" (FERN) to assist New York property owners when FEMA or other funding is denied by the federal government;

2) A refundable state income tax credit against property taxes paid where homes and businesses have suffered damage that reduce their value (S. 6060A - 2012);

3) A state task force on flood prevention and mitigation with regional subcommittees to help communities plan and fund flood prevention measures on a regional basis. The task force would include representatives of the legislature, the state departments of Health, Environmental Conservation, Transportation, State, Homeland Security and Emergency Services, the National Guard, first responders, local government officials and local soil and water conservation districts with benchmarks and deadlines for action;

4) Enhanced funding through the environmental protection fund (EPF) for soil and water conservation districts to help local governments plan improved storm water drainage and flood prevention efforts;

5) National Guard directed and supported construction assistance in communities where flood mitigation measures have been identified;

6) Requiring a simplified and expedited reimbursement process for the state share of any reimbursable flood-related costs by local governments. Failure to process reimbursements to a local government within 60 days would trigger bonus payments to local governments to cover their cost of borrowing to cover funding shortfalls.

On July 1, Mohawk Valley legislators quickly called on the governor to declare a state disaster due to the flooding and to ask the federal government for disaster declarations and assistance.